ISLAMABAD: Rafay Rashdi has talent and intellect running through his veins. Son of Mahtab Akbar Rashdi and hailing from a political background, it was nothing more than an absolute shocker to see Rafay’s debut flick tank at the box office.

Though his first cinematic endeavour was disappointing to say the least, it is pleasantly surprising to see the budding film-maker coming to terms with critical and commercial failure as well as moving onto bigger and better things – something not many brains behind the camera have comprehended.

Rashdi now heads one of the leading television production banners, Moomal Productions, churning out serials like O Rangreza, gearing up for a nationwide talent hunt and simultaneously working on the script of his next film – which he reveals is a complete departure from what he’s worked on so far.

In conversation with the Express Tribune, Rashdi opens up about his inspirations, the future of local cinema and what he has in store for us in the future.

ET: You are one of the very few film-makers who’ve publicly accepted failure, and one must respect that. After Thora Jee Le, how did you manage to secure a position at Moomal Productions? 

Rafay Rashdi (RR): Winning and losing is a part of the field, especially when someone is passionate about their dreams. Coming across failure is what we call experience and experience is gained when we ‘make mistakes’ which helps improve one’s skills.

I think I’m still on step one and have a long way to go. Accepting criticism on Thora Jee Le was the best learning curve for a first time feature film-maker. I accepted the feedback with a positive approach, and decided to personally meet all the critics to understand what exactly went wrong.

The film industry is in its revival stage, and it is imperative to provide the audience with an entertaining film. The medium of film must leave the viewers with paisa vasool entertainment as well as an important message.

PHOTO: FILE

Thora Jee Le might not have been one hundred percent entertaining, but it did have social messages for the youth involved in drug addiction, progression of women in society, dealing with abusive marriage, stereotyping gender roles, frustration of struggling youngsters, and conflict of friends in practical life. These are some of the problems the youth are experiencing right now, and these were the messages I wanted to pass on through my film. The title of the film Thora Jee Le was actually the anti-thesis of what it portrayed.

Not many people got to know that. I should avoid getting too philosophical for my next venture. However, I’m quite happy the stars of my film have shined out, namely Bilal Abbas and Ramsha Khan and they’ve done quite well for themselves. I’m ecstatic to have given the industry new faces; a little bit of an achievement whenever Thora Jee Le comes up in discussions.

How director of Pakistani cinema’s ‘epic failure’ came to terms with it

Post the film’s release, I decided to take time off. I shut everything down and disconnected myself from everyone for over two months to write my next film. It was then that the Moomal Productions opportunity came across.

I got a call asking for an individual required to manage productions and I had referred someone else. But then, thought about myself – to offer my services with production experience. One thing led to another, and I came on-board. It’s a big responsibility and I plan on giving my best. So far it’s been a superb experience meeting writers, directors, actors, music producers, and acquiring more technical experience.

I have some amazing ideas which I plan on executing this year, through this very platform. Wish me luck!

ET: You announced your second film earlier this year; when is that scheduled to go on floors?  

RR: If it were up to me, I would’ve done it immediately, but post Thora Jee Le I decided to wait for some time. Audiences were not accepting any film which came out in the earlier half of this year, and they were all different genres.

It was important for me to understand market requirements, content and time period for a feature film in an industry which is currently reinvigorating. I plan on announcing it officially towards the end of the year, and pre-production is scheduled to commence early next year.  

ET: Your next cinematic endeavor is a mystery-thriller; do you think the Pakistani audience has opened to genres of such sort? 

RR: During Thora Jee Le promotions, I often mentioned that a league of film-makers would emerge, and they would cater to all sorts of genres. There will be comedy, there will be action, there will be rom-coms, there will be horror and hard hitting drama films. All of these can be incorporated in a single film as well, if executed properly of course.

I don’t think anything has been established as yet. Cinemas are still opening up, film-makers are still securing distributors, producers are securing investors, film-writers are coming forward, directors are emerging and to top it all off, we are unable to release a standalone film other than on festive holidays. 

It’s still a learning curve. Some film-makers have done well after their second and third film, and the current war is on securing who gets more shows in theatres. It’s a work in progress.

For the past decade, our fresh batch of cinema goers has only witnessed Bollywood films, so their expectations fall there. We, as a film industry, have yet to develop original Pakistani content which was at its prime back in the day. Our genres are under construction.

If we are to make a stark comparison, let’s consider Aamir Khan Films; all diverse genres. If executed right, with social messages, it might just work out.  

ET: Your next film also promises a pertinent social message, how important do you think social commentary is, and do you feel it’s being overdone? 

RR: Looking at our television content, we’ve had some great hits. Our content is immensely appreciated internationally and social commentary does the magic. The messages communicated through the medium of television reaches out to everyone and are discussed at various social circles.

I personally don’t think it’s over-done. I think it has only begun, especially for our film industry. The medium of film is very powerful, and if you consider Shoaib Mansoor Sahab’s Khuda Kay Liyay and Bol, they were socially relevant films, which left quite a mark on every viewer and were massively appreciated to the core. 

‘Thora Jee Lay’ is a film for the youth: Rafay Rashidi

I don’t even know why the discussion of a new film today begins with finalising which actress would look hot in an explicit item number? We can do better. How about we focus on creating original content?

Last year’s Oscar winning feature film Spotlight dealt with sexual child abuse; I’m not saying every film should be sad and depressing and commercial content should exist especially for our reviving industry, but it should leave the audience with a message, if done right. 

I still can’t forget David Fincher’s Se7en which focused on seven deadly sins and a serial killer, a brilliant concept with just so much that one can take back. The very recent, horror SAW franchise and Aamir Khan’s Talaash for that matter of fact, had a supernatural feel, and a twist as good as any M Night Shyamalan film. All these films are just a small bit of what I have conceived for my next.  

ET: Who do you plan on casting for the film? Though we know you’re a flag-bearer of young talent, do you feel you need established actors this time around to carry the film? 

RR: I will have young talent in my film. I want to take initiative in opening doors of opportunities for new talent. With the film industry growing, our television superstars have moved on to films, and there is a vacuum. Similarly, fresh faces are also required on the big screen. 

However, the burden of film cannot be carried by debutants only. Currently, our cinema-goers are not sold; maybe in the next five to ten years. So yes, I will have established actors as well.

Ideally, it would be great to have Fawad Khan as the protagonist [nothing is confirmed yet though], and as for the leading lady, I’m still thinking about it. All of it will be revealed in due time. 

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Source: Tribune News | ‘Thora Jee Le’ director Rafay Rashdi hopes to cast Fawad Khan in murder-mystery

SAN FRANCISCO: Nearly two dozen major companies in technology and other industries are planning to launch a coalition to demand legislation that would allow young, illegal immigrants a path to permanent residency, according to documents seen by Reuters.

The Coalition for the American Dream intends to ask Congress to pass bipartisan legislation this year that would allow these immigrants, often referred to as “Dreamers,” to continue working in the United States, the documents said.

Alphabet Inc’s Google, Microsoft Corp, Facebook Inc, Intel Corp, Uber Technologies Inc, IBM Corp, Marriott International Inc and other top US companies are listed as members, one of the documents shows.

Intel, Uber and Univision Communications Inc confirmed their membership, but the other companies did not immediately comment. It is possible that plans to launch the group could change.

“We’re pleased to join with other organizations in urging Congress to pass legislation to protect Dreamers,” Intel spokesperson Will Moss said in a statement.

Matthew Wing, a spokesperson for Uber, said, “Uber joined the Coalition for the American Dream because we stand with the Dreamers. We’ve also held town halls, provided legal support and launched an online Dreamer Resource Center for any of our drivers.”

The push for this legislation comes after President Donald Trump’s September decision to allow the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to expire in March. That program, established by former President Barack Obama in 2012, allows approximately 900,000 illegal immigrants to obtain work permits.

Some 800 companies signed a letter to Congressional leaders after Trump’s decision, calling for legislation protecting Dreamers. That effort was spearheaded by a pro-immigration reform group Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg co-founded in 2013 called FWD.us.

Many of the companies that endorsed that letter are named as joining the new coalition. The group has planned to take out ads in news publications, though this is subject to change, according to an email last week seen by Reuters.

“Dreamers are part of our society, defend our country, and support our economy,” said one of the coalition documents, which is being shared by the group to recruit additional companies.

A signup form for the group said 72 percent of the top 25 Fortune 500 companies employ DACA recipients.

Trump campaigned for president on a pledge to toughen immigration policies and build a wall along the US border with Mexico. He has left the fate of DACA up to Congress.

US judge blocks latest version of Trump travel ban

Action may come in December, when Congress must pass a spending bill to keep the US government open. Democrats have considered insisting on help for the Dreamers as their price for providing votes that may be required to prevent a government shutdown.

“No politician wants to go home for the holidays and read stories about how this is going to be DACA recipients’ last holidays in the US,” said Todd Schulte, president of FWD.us, in an interview earlier on Thursday. He declined to comment on the new coalition.

“You will see this continue to escalate until the end of the year,” he said.

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Source: Tribune News | Tech companies to lobby for immigrant ‘Dreamers’ to remain in US

KARACHI    : Mawra Hocane is on a roll!

The Sammi starlet is all set to join the cast of  the sequel of Humayun Saeed starrer Jawani Phir Nahi Aani.

The movie also stars Fahad Mustafa in a titular role. Previously, talking to Fifi Haroon, Saeed revealed that the shooting of the movie will start from next month in Turkey. The cast will also be shooting a portion of the movie in Dubai.

She’s back: Mawra Hocane to star in a pre-partition-era drama ‘Aangan’

The news come after Mawra signed a pre-partition drama Aangan. Ahsan Khan has also reportedly been roped in for the same show.

A little birdie also tells us that this upcoming venture will be made on a massive scale, deeming it one of the most expensive TV productions to date. Expect a larger-than-life set that will make the project all the more believable.

Previously, it was reported that Rishi Kapoor was also offered a role in the movie. The actor later turned down an offer to star in Jawani Phir Nahi Ani sequel. Rishi revealed the main reason behind his refusal.

Would love to work with Kareena Kapoor Khan: Humayun Saeed

The Kapoor & Sons actor said he wouldn’t work in Pakistani films because his “country won’t like him to do it.”

“Recently, I was approached for a Pakistani film; it was the sequel to one of their biggest hits. I heard the story and found it interesting. Now, of course, it is not possible to act in it. The situation was ironic,” Rishi was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.

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Source: Tribune News | Mawra Hocane joins cast of ‘Jawani Phir Nahi Aani 2’

There are growing tensions between NGOs and the government in Pakistan, and the recent decision to impose taxation on the non-profit sector is another manifestation of this adversarial relationship.

It was at the beginning of the current budget year, back in June, when the government announced its decision to place a new 10 per cent tax on the NGOs. This tax was meant to be applied to NGOs which spend 15 per cent or more of their budget on administrative costs, or organisations which have more than 25% of the organisation’s budget left over by the end of a year.

NGOs seem poised to challenge the new tax law in court, and it remains to be seen who the judiciary will side with. The government had tried to justify its decision by pointing out that it was not taxing all NGOs, but only the ones spending a lot of money on their own administrative costs, or those with surplus funds left. The apparent aim of the tax was to cut down waste and misuse of NGO funds and encourage large national and international NGOs to spend more funds on the people whom they are meant to serve, instead of their own overheads. It seems unlikely that the NGO taxation attempt is a revenue-raising exercise, given the laxity shown by the government to tax larger sectors of the economy such as agriculture. The 10,000 or so NGOs that may be made liable to pay this new tax, will contribute an insignificant amount in comparison.

While the idea of NGOs offering corporate level salaries to higher staff is perhaps excessive, it is not that salary bracket which is specifically being targeted. Rather it is the total amount NGOs spend on salaries. Yet, many NGOs need to have many salaried staff to ensure the extensive outreach which is vital for their mandate to reach out to a broad range of people. Even the government’s decision of taxing NGOs which spend less than 75% of their yearly budgets on programmes is not a sensible decision, given that humanitarian organisations need to put aside money in reserve for responding to emergencies and disasters. This taxation measure will probably increase book keeping costs of NGOs and may hinder their operational efficiency.

Several NGOs themselves have described the new tax as part of a series of attempts to crack down on NGOs. This includes increasing scrutiny of their operations, restrictions on their geographic scope of operations, and even allegations of NGOs promoting blasphemy or pornography. The NGO taxation attempt also follows a series of other administrative hurdles. The government has also been trying to make foreign funding of NGOs subjected to more restrictive monitoring. Given this sequence of attempts, some major donors have signalled that they may cease their funding to Pakistani NGOs, especially if the government does not revoke its plan to tax them.

The above NGO concerns are legitimate but they do not imply that the government should not have any oversight of NGOs. After all, NGOs must also comply with a range of requirements to qualify for donor funding. The state certainly has the right to prevent anti-state or extremist elements operating under the garb of NGOs, and to prevent misuse of funds meant for the poor. However, developing punitive measures to stifle criticism on issues such as corruption, malgovernance, or other evident state failures is not acceptable.

Thus far, measures being put into place to regulate NGOs, or make them more effective in reaching out to their intended beneficiaries, are counterproductive instead. Our government needs to adopt a more conciliatory approach, working with relevant line departments, coalitions of NGOs and other think tanks which work on socio-economic development issues, to identify relevant and acceptable criteria for NGOs to comply with.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 20^th, 2017.

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Like all transitions in the past, the country is abuzz with rumours about the imminent death of the economy if a holding action is not taken by placing some unelectable experts in the corridors of power by you know who. While the crisis stories have been blown out of all proportions, the failure to appreciate the changing political dynamic is astounding.

For the first time in the country’s history, a prime minister has been disqualified, a demonstration that the courts are functioning. There are no signs of an implosion in the ruling party. It wasted no time in choosing another parliamentary leader to ensure the continuity of governance.

Except one, all parties have pledged to complete the normal parliamentary cycle. The exception is calling for early election as a political ploy. By all accounts, however, this party is also preparing for elections next year. It is encouraging to see that the political parties are also functioning. The relatively better functioning of security institutions has never been in doubt. Their worries about the economy and the rubbishing of any technocracy to fix it is good for democracy. True, the Soviet Union collapsed when its economy fell apart, but the collapse of the economy resulted from its arms race with the United States.

Mounting external debt and the weakening ability to service in view of a high current account deficit is seen as the most serious threat. Total external debt and liabilities declined every year from 31.2 per cent of GDP in 2011 until 2015 when it was 24.1 per cent. It rose again to 26.1 per cent in 2016 and 27.3 per cent in 2017.

There was a spike in the last quarter of 2017 due to CPEC-related borrowing that seems to have continued in the first quarter of 2018. But it is still less than the debt burden threshold of 30 per cent defined in the IMF-World Bank debt sustainability framework for countries with weak policy performance. Debt servicing as a ratio of foreign exchange earnings from exports and remittances has increased, but the short-term debt as a proportion of State Bank reserves has also decreased.

More important, the recent borrowing is investment related and the surge in imports is also due to investment goods. Such debt creates its own repaying capacity. Around 65 per cent of total debt and liabilities are domestic. It is a burden, but qualitatively different from the external debt in that we owe it to ourselves.

The state of the economy need not be confused with the personal state of the finance minister. In spite of him, the economic institutions of the state are functioning. There are signs of the economy coming out of the low growth trap. In the first quarter of the current fiscal year, exports have increased by 10.8 per cent. Import growth is still high due now to higher import of capital equipment.

The recent announcement of regulatory duties on non-essential imports and the export package will improve the trade balance further. Remittances fell in July, increased in August, but fell again in September. It is too early to read a downtrend here. Foreign direct investment increased by over 56 per cent. Reserves with the State Bank on October 6 were $13.8 billion, with another $5.9 billion with banks. At 3.9 per cent in September, inflation is still manageable. Instead of rushing to the IMF, the focus should be on agricultural and industrial policies to accelerate growth.

This time it is the polity, not the economy, stupid! All institutions of the state and society have to be watchful about the unintended consequences of their actions.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 20^th, 2017.

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